16/03/2024
This is information I have received very recently From someone who has a Landseer ECT and from a breeder.
GLAUCOMA IN ECT LANDSEER
Recently I have learned their are two Landseer in the US with blinding glaucoma. This is very tramatic for both the owners of the dogs and of course the unfortunate dog.One dog lost sight in one eye 3 years ago and now within the past two months has lost sight in the second eye rendering her totally blind. When this condition stikes the pressure from the fluid of the eyes builds and the dog is in excruciating pain. The result is usually the removal of the eye. A second Landseer has now been affected and she has lost one eye. For privacy purposes I will not reveal the owners or the names of the dogs. I will say neither dog has been bred.
Glaucoma is dogs is from autosomal recessive gene. It can skip generations. The occurance is more frequent is a small gene pool of the dogs being bred. Landseer ECT have a relatively a small gene pool.
Problem is that there is no current genetic test for the disease so dogs can be bred not aware of the gene mutation.
Eye clearances are not enough to assist in the eradication of the potential of the developement of glaucoma.
On a positive note there is a eye test which can access the risk for an individual dog to develope glaucoma or the potential for breeding dogs to pass this down to offspring it is called a Gonioscopy.
The Gonioscopy is exam of the iridocorneal angle or drain of of the interior of the eye. A honiolens is placed on the cornea allowing the optthamologist to see the angle. A closed angle put the dog at risk for glaucoma.Not all dogs with the closed angle will develope glaucoma but are at high risk. The dog will need to be put on special eye drops for life.They will need to have frequent eye pressure exams. There are a couple of surgical procedures to put artificial drains in the eye. I do not know the criteria for the surgery
The most frequent age for developing glaucoma is 3 years . It can occur early or much later. This is not an old age disease.
Now I will editorialise, since I am aware of 2 Landseer ECT with glaucoma caused by the closed angle; it is easy to assume many more Landseer have been affected or will be. People often will not report such important information.
I encourage all breeding animals to receive a Gonioscopy as part of their breeding clearances.
As a Landseer ECT owner I encourage all Landseer to also have the test done. Traditional eye clearances do not include this testing.
I am sorry to bring bad news but this is too important not to share my knowledge.
Testing in central California costs approximately 500 dollars.
